Moving on to Gondar

Africa » Ethiopia
December 26th 2009

Published: June 16th 2017

Geo: 12.6, 37.4667This entry will actually cover the last few days. First, thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes and the Christmas greetings. Even though Ethiopians don't celebrate Christmas (Leddet) until January 6/7, many children and some adults wished us Merry Christmas as we were walking around the last couple of days.Dec. 24 was spent getting to Gondar - via the usual local mini ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 71, Displayed: 21

Olive wood ceilings in the entry hall.

Fabulous olive wood ceiling beams.

This is the reception area/main hall of Fasilada's

Star of David engraving in entry hall.

Star of David engraving.

Lots of high arches and windows.

Looking into the dining rooms.

One for men and one for women.

The rear of the castle.

View of one of the other castles from 2nd floor.

The castle grounds

The entrance to the Turkish Bath house.

The entrance to the spa. Our guide has hung his id badge on a hook made of sheep horn to demonstrate where clothing was hung. Inside there is a steam room and a 'hot tub' used by the King and his wives/concubines.

View from 2nd floor of castle.

There are other palaces in the complex as well.

There are also residences/castles for some who followed after Fasilada's.

The castle compound

Looking out from Fasilada's castle towards Mentewab's castle. She was the wife of Bakaffa who also has a residence in this complex.

Iyasu's Palace

King Iyasu is considered the greatest ruler in Gonderine history. His castle is unusual because of the vaulted ceiling.

Iyasu's Palace

Beautiful vaulted ceilings.

Iyasu's Palace vaulted ceilings

Emperor Bakaffa's Castle

Emperor Bakaffa's banquet hall and stables

The banquet hall was used by the Italians for munitions storage and the celing and walls were reinforced by them with concrete - looks pretty bad inside.

Emperor Bakaffa's stables.

This is the horse stable - pretty nice still today.

Emperor Bakaffa's banquest hall

This is the banquet hall.

26th December 2009

tric Syz
non-member comment

Here is my guess about what makes the Falasha Jews different.... is it because they didn't read scriptures in Hebrew, or is that they practiced circumcision, but it was performed by a woman? Was just doing some reading about them and found
their evolution very interesting. I've never even heard of Falash Jewish people before.

28th December 2009

Rath Sophoan
non-member comment

It is an interesting story of the king and queen of Ethiopians. We have learned more from reading your writing. Or-Kun! Hope you did enjoy the bird watching tours yesterday. Have a nice visit to Ethiopia and hope to hear from you more. with
our love, Neat Vatana Thida and Poan

28th December 2009

nneat17@gmail.com
non-member comment

Hi Richard and Carole!! I am glad to read and enjoy the story that you writing about. It was wonderful to hear that you have been enjoying a lot in Ethiopia. Hope to hear more from you. Have a nice day! Neat, from Cambodia.

28th December 2009

Vatana
non-member comment

Hi Richard and Carole. I am so happy to read as to learn about Ethiopian culture and civilization and the daily life activities in Ethiopia nowadays. Have a nice visit and enjoy your days in Ethiopia.Vatana from Cambodia.

28th December 2009

Cynthia
non-member comment

Two thoughts on your factoid:They are descendants of the queen of sheba.They are the only jewish group to survive to modern day that doesn't practice rabbinc judiasm, only biblical. The judaism we know, (reform, conservateive, orthodox) is
based on rabbinic judaism. In recent history they have adopted some rabbinic judaism, but the traditions they previously followed were not so.

30th December 2009

Cynthia
non-member comment

Can't wait to hear about your bird-watching and learn about the new kinds of bird you've seen - hope you got a lot of good pics!

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